Man cleared of rape charge nears $1.2 million from state

By Carlos Campos, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 10, 2007

A man who spent more than 23 years in prison for a crime he did not commit moved a step closer to a $1.2 million payment from the state.

Robert Clark, 46, smiled and put his hands together in prayer as he watched the Senate pass House Resolution 102. Clark was cleared by DNA evidence in 2005 of a life sentence for a rape, kidnapping and robbery conviction in 1982.

"Every night for more than 8,000 nights, he went to bed knowing he was innocent and thinking no one cared," Sen. Horacena Tate (D-Alanta), who presented the resolution on Clark's behalf, told the Senate.

HR 102 was amended slightly in the Senate, meaning it has to go back to the House for expected approval. The Senate passed the resolution unanimously.

Once the bill wins approval, Clark would be paid $100,000 up front, and get $900,000 over 15 years. He would also be paid a separate $200,000 payment to help with his healthcare costs. Clark developed physical and mental problems in prison.

Clark, a soft-spoken man who now works in construction, said he plans to keep his job even when he's paid. He wants to buy a home and move out of his parents' house.

"It will help me a lot," Clark said of the payment. "I can get on with my life."

Lisa George, communications director of the Georgia Innocence Project — which helped clear Clark — noted that the money is not necessarily a windfall. She said Clark missed many years of paying into the Social Security system and building a nest egg for retirement.

"This is not winning the lottery," said George, who sat with Clark in the Senate gallery. "This money is to help him build security. To help him get back on a level playing field."